There are some documents that are required in order to acquire your TIN (Tax Identification Number) in Nigeria.
FIRS TIN registration and verification are two separate process. To verify TIN, you can visit the tax office in your state or go online but to register your TIN requires some procedures.
What is TIN?
TIN is Tax Identification Number and it is issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). It is a unique code or number that is used to recognize a taxpayer in Nigeria. The Federal Inland Revenue Service is a federal parastatal responsible for assesing, collecting and accounting for tax and other revenues in Nigeria.
FIRS issue TIN (Tax Identification Number) to companies, businesses or individuals for the payment of their taxes. These companies, businesses or individuals use the FIRS TIN to pay their taxes as well as other revenues to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Like in other countries, tax payment is compulsory and every company or individual doing business in Nigeria must have their unique TIN for the purposes listed below;
To open a corporate bank account
To get a government loan
For registration of cars
To get a tax clearance certificate for your company or business to show you have been paying your taxes
For the application of certificate of occupancy
For foreign exchange
To apply for trade import or export license
TIN Registration in Nigeria
There are some procedures you must go through to have your own TIN, these procedures are not difficult all you need to do is to provide the right documents and your company or business will have it’s TIN.
How to Register for TIN for a Company or Business
For your company or business to have TIN, you must register it with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). After registration with the CAC, you can then visit any Federal Inland Revenue Service office (FIRS) office nearest to you for your TIN.
Beginning for 2020, new businesses in Nigeria started getting their TIN when they register their company or business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Nowadays, newly registered companies or businesses do not have to apply separately for their TIN, all that is needed is TIN verification to validate it. But if your business is not newly registered and you do not have your TIN, there are procedures to follow.
To register your company or business for FIRS TIN, follow these procedures;
Visit any Federal Inland Revenue Service office (FIRS) nearest to you
Go with the original and photocopies of your CAC certificates
Inform them of your reason for visiting and they will instruct you on what to do
Fill the application form appropriately
Submit the form alongside other required documents and ID
After the registration, your TIN will be generated and given to you.
You can also register for your FIRS TIN online. You can do this through the Joint Tax Board website, this process is also acceptable to FIRS. To register your company or business online for the FIRS TIN, follow these steps.
Log onto https://tin.jtb.gov.ng/TinRequestExternal
Fill the required field in the form
Click the “I am not a robot” box and submit
Your FIRS TIN will be generated for you
TIN Registration for Individuals
If you have your NIN (National Identification Number) and BVN (Bank Verification Number), you already have a TIN. All you need to do is to visit the TIN verification website to verify your TIN. But if you could not find your TIN, then you should visit any tax office nearest to you for new registration.
Required Documents Needed for TIN Registration
To get TIN for your company or business, then you must go to the FIRS office nearest to you with the following document. Please note that you must go with the original copies as well as the photocopies.
For Companies or Businesses;
Documents from Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
Application letter with company’s letterhead
Particulars of your company’s directors, auditors and major shareholders
CAC Registration Number
Date of incorporation of your business
Completed FIRS TIN registration form
Form of identification
Email address
For individual;
Form of identification, i.e National Identification Number (NIN)
Bank Verification Number (BVN)
Registered phone number
Utility bill
Completed FIRS TIN registration form issued at the tax office
Passport photograph
Email address
FIRS TIN Verification Form
There are two ways you can get your Tax Identification Number (TIN) verified, the first process is by visiting a tax office and request for the verification form. Fill the form appropriately and submit it for verification.
The second way to verify your TIN is through online. All you need to do is log onto to the official website and fill the form and search. The FIRS TIN will be displayed for you on the screen. This is a very easy way to verify your TIN because you can do it in the confines of your home. You do not have to visit a tax office to get it done.
FIRS TIN Verification System
To verify your TIN, you need to download the BIR Mobile TIN App. This app provided by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The BIR Mobile TIN Verifier App is used by taxpayers for TIN validation as well as other TIN inquiries.
TIN Verification through Official FIRS Website
You can verify your TIN whether corporate or individual through the official FIRS TIN verification portal.
Log onto https://apps.firs.gov.ng/tinverification/
Then, select a search criterion (BVN, NIN or registered phone number)
Fill in the number
Click search
TIN Verification for Company or Business via Joint Tax Board
Log onto https//tinverification.jtb.gov.ng/Template/TINverification
Enter the company or business date of incorporation with the CAC in the space provided
Choose a search criterion – CAC registration number or TIN
Enter your company or business CAC registration number
Verify you are not a robot by clicking on the reCAPTCHA BOX
Click search to see your TIN
TIN Verification for individual via Joint Tax Board
Log onto https//tinverification.jtb.gov.ng/Template/TINverification
Enter your date of birth
Choose a search criterion from the options provided (BVN, NIN, or registered phone number)
Fill in the required number in the search criterion you chose (either BVN or NIN or your phone number)
Verify you are not a robot by clicking the reCAPTCHA BOX
Click search to see your TIN
Required Documents Needed for TIN Verification
There are two ways you can go about your TIN verification, it is either you do it online or visit a tax office. But whichever way you choose you would need the following documents listed below
For a company or business
Date of incorporation of business
CAC registration number
For individual
Date of birth
NIN, or BVN or registered phone number.